The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-12-25

that school, and to win Sally's hand at the
same time. 1t was ina Happy frame of mind
that he left the minister and Sally,
IL was the flood tide In his life, he
thought
In strolling up the street his reveries were
shattered by "Hello, Lumw and the out
stretched hand of Josephus Hoozier, an old
friend and boon companion. The two were
soon shaking hands like brothers.
When did you git homer asked Lum.
To-day, replied Seph.
Only for the holidays"
"Yes."
81 know'd it. You never do tarry long.
Seph, say, am mighty glad to see you.
You are just the Teller in the right time.
The people up there to the church have got
me to be their Santa Claus this year. and
want you to back me up"
through"
You see, Ssph, I am 'fraid old long
legged Jimmy will be up to some of his
shenanegins again, to even up with me-"
Wv nat! Lum, amt you and him become
friends yet: Say, how about that circus,
anyhowW
"No.n
Look here, Seph, you're kidding"
ut was none of his tarnel business, any
how" said Lum, sit was the first elephant
ever saw, and was such a little tacker,
but he thought it was good joke because |
turned around to Bill and said, JENNY
crickets, buddy, what a big Sheep
You got even with him, with Blizzard,
Lum, didn't you, eh?'
Poor ola Blizzard. Wen never play
FRANKS with him agin, Seph. He is done
for; the great effort of his life killed him.
Blizzard was mighty intelligent goat He
had more sense than long legged Jimmy
ever will have. He--that is, old Jimmy,
you know-was sweet on my aunt then.
He grubbed with us occasionally. He
always got in one of them long prayers of
his'n. 1t was on balmy summer day like
you read in books ] was bout as hungry
as you make em. Me and BlIzzy had kind
of previous confab as how we'd break
that prayer up. Lum, come on III here
to prayersn called out nam. | went.
| left the door Unattached, and saw that old
Jimmy lnelt with his face to the wall. Old
Jimmy was bout Citing down into the fur
rows, when Blizzard quietly pushed his
head in the door. He winked and winked,
and-well, you'd died laughing if you'd been
| there. 1t proved too much for Blizzard.
His conscience failed him after that. He
| took on a reprOachful look that never left
| him until Gabriel called him."
How about the prayer, Lum."
'Oh! Old Jimmy took another hold on
the reins, but the team was too fiery for lin.
| He let 'em go when he said: % Lord, give
us ears of corn as long as your arm, and
well, well, none of your nubbins.' He never
| come to our house again, and I've kinder
| been tickliSh around him ever since.n
Columbus continued ventilating his mis-
| fortune and hopes, and told his friend all
| about his new found love for Sallie Holmes.
You're kind o. sweet on her yourself,
| weren't you, SephP' he asked.
Seph had nothing to say on that subject.
| Lum, assisted by Seph, made great prepara-
ton for the Christmas event. The para
| phernalia of the Red Mems tribe of the
| town was ransacked for a makeup. A big
| hat was made of pasteboard and decorated
with tinsel They manufactured the pre-
| scribed long whiskers. A bear rug was pro-
| cured to be thrown around the shoulders.
| A girt of sleigh-bells, and one or two larger
| bells completed the outfit. The time
came. Seph helped Lum into tie toggery,
and escorted him to the staunch ladder
which had been procured. The cemetery
| surrounded the church, and everything
| amid the deserted rear of the edifice was
| ghostly and desolate. 1t was small church
| in a small town, and, of course, the only
way for Santa Claus to appear was to get
| into the back window by a ladder. At last
| everything was in readiness. Lum put his
| foot on the first round of the ladder.
With few words of instructions. Seph
| disappeared in the darkness, presumably to
| 60 around and enter the front part of the
| church, and see how the thing took
Full of anticipation of coming greatness.
| Lum assembled the ladder The wind gently
swayed his whiskers to and fro, and cooled
| his heated brow. The frosty air tinged his
nose and cheeks that rosy color that paint
| cannot produce. Half way up the ladder
| he thought he heard a noise from the grave
| yard below.
rs that you SephF
No answer.
| Now, Lum, like all other laxative indi-
viduals, was not particularly brave. He
| was a believer in ghosts, and afraid of
Them He was undoubtedly nervous when
he climbed into the window The minister
thought it was natural. and tried to console
| him Lum duly made his appearance be.
| fore the crowded church room. He got
along swimmiEgly He made the little
ones laugh. He carried out premeditated
| Jokes upon the others. He plucked a pretty
| little package, and called out the name of a
| gossipy sister who had no teeth, and, with
| a graceful bow, handed her a box of soap
caramels. To old longlegged Jimmy he
! gave tin whistle and a canteen, in mock
| courtesy, and so on, distributing his little
presents the most appropriate way he could.
Sally was IlOU lOr2OUUen. AS ne nanQeu
her box of bonbons, she promised to let
him see her home.
Then his duties were over. The time for
| his Disappearance had come. He got on the
| ladder, and with much trembling started
| down. The big cow-bell he wore suddenly
iingled, and caused cold chill to run
| through his viens He stopped and nerved
himself for the ordeal.
| A deep moan came from tomb below.
| He began to tremble violently. He tight
ened and loosened his grip on the ladder in
| turns.
Another moan, and still another mysteri.
Gus and blood-curdling sound.
One loud whoop and Lum let go every
thing. and went down that ladder like a log
down toboggan slide.
! A CHASTITY figure arose from the tomb and
| confronted him.
One wild spring, and he cleared the church
ward fence, and down the street past the
| church door he went at break neck speed.
Sally had promised to slip out and meet
him at the door. She was there. He did
not see her or anything else. ''Sakes alive.
What ails Lum Kingr she inquired of Seph
Hoozier, as he nonchalantly appeared on
/ the scene.
''Must ave got 'em again, Sally" he re-
piled.
"Do telln
snow, Sally, which am it, me or Lum,
| You know always was dead sot on you. y
! A. al.Nt